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Morpho Butterfly

Morpho deidamia

Photo by Cody.conway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A Morpho butterfly may be one of over 29 accepted species and 147 accepted subspecies of butterflies in the genus Morpho. They are Neotropical butterflies found mostly in South America as well as Mexico and Central America. Morphos range in wingspan from the 7.5 cm (3 inch) M. rhodopteron to the imposing 20 cm (8 inch) Sunset Morpho, M. hecuba. The name Morpho, meaning changed or modified, is also an epithet of Aphrodite and Venus.

Species ID Suggestions

Morpho Butterfly

Morpho deidamia

Reference Link
bayucca
1

Comments (5)
bayucca
Personally I would not dare to go down to subspecies level. To my knowledge Mariae is quite a new described subspecies (Blandin 2007) and all I had seen were from Tingo Maria, Peru (probably that is the reason for the name). There are at least 14 subspecies of Deidamia and within these subspecies another 25 different forms in the neotropics. I think it is not possible to determine yours without DNA comparison. I suggest that you take yours as Morpho deidamia, Marbled Morpho: http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Amazon%20-%20Morpho%20deidamia.htm
Cody.conway
Updated to Morpho deidamia mariae - Blue Morpho was the common name in the amazon when these butterflies were seen - more of a catch all description.
bayucca
Looking at the blue parts of the forewing I am sceptic about Menelaus. This one would have almost the whole wings blue: http://www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/morpho_menelaus_julanthiscus_types.htm In my eyes yours look more like Morpho deidamia. What do you think? http://www.ebay.de/itm/LOT-OF-3-MORPHO-DEIDAMIA-MARIAE-UNMOUNTED-A1-BUTTERFLIES-/230938594953?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c5034e89 http://www.insectdesigns.com/Morpho-deidamia-mariae-Peru.html The last links are not really trustable, but I guess they have it right, looking at the BOA link.
Photographed
PublishedJune 19, 2013

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